Tax and thresholds
Use these first if your main question is SDLT, LBTT, LTT or first-time-buyer treatment.
Resource Library
UK home-buying guides
Detailed, practical guidance on SDLT, LBTT, LTT, legal fees and completion planning. Built for real UK buying decisions, not generic checklists.
Fees and execution
Use these for solicitor, survey, mortgage and completion-stage workflow planning.
Decision quality
Cross-check each guide with calculator scenarios so you can set an offer ceiling with confidence.
What Is Stamp Duty?
A clear UK guide to SDLT, LBTT and LTT, including how tax slices work and why headline rates can mislead buyers.
Updated: 2026-02-17
When Do You Pay Stamp Duty? Timing, Filing and Late Penalties
Stamp duty is due within 30 days of completion — late filing triggers automatic penalties starting at £100. Your solicitor handles the SDLT return and collects payment at completion. Learn the timeline, what happens if there are delays, and how to check it was filed correctly.
Updated: 2026-02-17
First-Time Buyer Relief Explained
Eligibility, thresholds and practical checks for first-time buyer relief in England and Northern Ireland.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Second-Home Stamp Duty Surcharge
How additional-property tax treatment works, when it applies, and what it does to all-in purchase costs.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Replacing Your Main Residence and Refunds
Rules and timelines for main-residence replacement and surcharge refund routes, explained in practical terms.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Conveyancing Fees UK 2026/27 — How Much Does Conveyancing Cost? (£800–£2,500)
UK conveyancing fees 2026/27: standard freehold purchase £1,200–£2,500 all-in, leasehold or complex title £3,000+. See solicitor fees, disbursements and what to budget before exchange.
Updated: 2026-04-19
House Survey Costs Explained
House survey costs UK 2026/27: Level 2 homebuyer report £400–£800, Level 3 structural survey £900–£2,000. Compare survey types, what's included and when you need a full building survey.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Mortgage Fees Explained
Product fees, valuation costs and arrangement choices that can change true borrowing cost at completion.
Updated: 2026-02-17
How Much Cash Do I Need to Buy?
A practical framework for estimating total upfront cash needed: deposit, tax, legal fees, surveys and contingency.
Updated: 2026-02-17
LBTT Scotland Explained
Scottish LBTT bands and additional dwelling supplement explained with buyer-focused examples.
Updated: 2026-02-17
LTT Wales Explained
Welsh LTT rates and higher-rate treatment explained for owner-occupiers, movers and additional-property buyers.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Home-Buying Costs Checklist
A step-by-step checklist for budgeting, evidence gathering and completion readiness across UK purchase journeys.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Shared Ownership Stamp Duty Basics
How shared ownership can affect stamp duty treatment and what to check before relying on initial estimates.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Non-UK Resident SDLT Surcharge 2026/27 | 2% Rate
Non-UK residents buying residential property in England pay an extra 2% SDLT surcharge on top of standard rates. See exactly how much extra you pay and when the surcharge applies.
Updated: 2026-04-19
New-Build Buying Costs in the UK
A dedicated guide to budgeting new-build purchases, including reservation timing, extras and completion risk points.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Downsizing and Moving Costs in the UK
Practical advice for downsizers comparing sale proceeds, purchase tax and transaction costs before committing.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Bridging Finance and Completion Costs
Understand where bridging finance can increase purchase costs and how to stress-test completion budgets safely.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Stamp Duty on £300,000 (UK Guide)
Stamp duty on £300,000 in 2026/27: home mover pays £5,000 SDLT · first-time buyer pays £0 (below £500k threshold). Full breakdown by buyer type and region with all-in buying costs.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Stamp Duty on £500,000 (UK Guide)
A practical UK guide to tax and all-in costs around the £500,000 level, including buyer-type sensitivity.
Updated: 2026-02-17
First-Time Buyer Thresholds: £425k and £625k
A clear guide to how first-time buyer assumptions can change around £425,000 and £625,000 decision points.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Stamp Duty on £250,000 (UK Guide)
A practical guide to stamp duty and all-in completion costs around a £250,000 purchase.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Stamp Duty on £750,000 (UK Guide)
A high-value threshold guide for £750,000 purchases across SDLT, LBTT and LTT scenarios.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Second-Home Tax on £500,000 (UK Guide)
How additional-property treatment can affect £500,000 purchases and all-in completion costs.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Moving-Home Costs on £400,000 (UK Guide)
A practical £400,000 moving-home guide covering tax, fees and scenario checks before exchange.
Updated: 2026-02-17
First-Time Buyer on £350,000 (UK Guide)
A focused first-time buyer guide for £350,000 offers, with threshold-aware scenario planning.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Stamp Duty on £200,000 (UK Guide)
A practical guide to stamp duty on a £200,000 purchase across SDLT, LBTT and LTT — covering first-time buyer relief, second home surcharge and total completion cash.
Updated: 2026-03-25
Stamp Duty on £400,000 2026/27 | £10,000 Standard · £5,000 FTB
How much stamp duty on a £400,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £10,000 · first-time buyer pays £5,000 (saving £5,000 vs home mover) · second home buyer pays £30,000. See the full band breakdown for SDLT, LBTT and LTT.
Updated: 2026-04-19
Stamp Duty on £450,000 (UK Guide)
A guide to stamp duty on a £450,000 purchase: first-time buyers pay a reduced rate on this amount, but the relief is tapered. See SDLT, LBTT and LTT scenarios.
Updated: 2026-03-25
Stamp Duty on £600,000 2026/27 | £20,000 Standard Rate
How much stamp duty on a £600,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £20,000 · no first-time buyer relief above £500,000 · second home buyer pays £50,000 (5% surcharge on full price). See full SDLT, LBTT and LTT breakdown.
Updated: 2026-04-19
Stamp Duty on £325,000 2026/27 | £6,250 Standard · £1,250 FTB
How much stamp duty on a £325,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £6,250 SDLT · first-time buyer pays £1,250 (saving £5,000) · second home buyer pays £22,500 (5% surcharge on full price). See full band breakdown for SDLT, LBTT and LTT.
Updated: 2026-04-26
Stamp Duty on £375,000 2026/27 | £8,750 Standard · £3,750 FTB
How much stamp duty on a £375,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £8,750 SDLT · first-time buyer pays £3,750 (saving £5,000) · second home buyer pays £27,500. See full band breakdown for SDLT, LBTT and LTT.
Updated: 2026-04-26
Stamp Duty on £475,000 2026/27 | £13,750 Standard · £8,750 FTB
Check stamp duty on a £475,000 house in 2026/27. Standard home mover SDLT is £13,750, first-time buyer SDLT is £8,750 and second-home tax is £37,500.
Updated: 2026-04-26
Stamp Duty on £550,000 2026/27 | £17,500 Standard Rate
How much stamp duty on a £550,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £17,500 SDLT · no first-time buyer relief above £500,000 · second home buyer pays £45,000 (5% surcharge on full price). See full SDLT, LBTT and LTT breakdown.
Updated: 2026-04-26
Stamp Duty on £650,000 2026/27 | £22,500 Standard Rate
How much stamp duty on a £650,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £22,500 SDLT · no first-time buyer relief above £500,000 · second home buyer pays £55,000 (5% surcharge on full price). See full SDLT, LBTT and LTT breakdown.
Updated: 2026-04-26
Stamp Duty on £700,000 2026/27 | £25,000 Standard Rate
How much stamp duty on a £700,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £25,000 SDLT · no first-time buyer relief above £500,000 · second home buyer pays £60,000 (5% surcharge on full price). See full SDLT, LBTT and LTT breakdown.
Updated: 2026-04-26
How Much Deposit Do I Need UK 2026/27? | Min 5%
The minimum deposit to buy a house in the UK is 5% (95% LTV), but most buyers benefit from saving more. This guide covers LTV tiers, monthly saving impact, Help to Buy ISA and Lifetime ISA bonuses, and realistic saving timelines at average UK prices.
Updated: 2026-05-26
Stamp Duty Refund — When You Can Claim Back
You can reclaim stamp duty in certain circumstances, most commonly when you paid the 3% higher rate on a new purchase before selling your previous main home. This guide covers the refund window, HMRC process, and other scenarios where overpayment can be recovered.
Updated: 2026-05-26
Buying a Leasehold Property — Extra Costs to Know
Leasehold purchases involve service charges, ground rent, potential lease extension costs and management company enquiries that freehold buyers do not face. This guide explains the extra due diligence and what it costs.
Updated: 2026-05-26
Scotland LBTT Explained — How It Differs from SDLT
Scotland's Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) has different rates, thresholds and first-time buyer relief from England's SDLT. This guide compares the two systems with worked examples and covers the ADS surcharge for additional dwellings.
Updated: 2026-05-26
House Survey Costs UK — Level 2 vs Level 3
RICS house surveys come in three levels. A Level 2 homebuyer report costs roughly £400–£800; a Level 3 full structural survey runs £700–£1,500 or more. This guide explains which level suits which property and how to use the report to renegotiate.
Updated: 2026-05-26